The
UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and the UB Clinical Research Institute on
Addictions (CRIA) have issued statements on their commitment to combatting
the opioid crisis through collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts and
partnerships. This includes more than 150 UB faculty members working to advance
research, education, and clinical care on addiction, ranging from basic science
to clinical and translational studies and health services research.

According to www.buffalo.edu,
CRIA is a research center of the University at Buffalo focused on addressing
the causes, consequences, prevention, and treatment of substance use disorders.
Its scientists are members of multiple departments and schools within UB,
allowing CRIA to explore interdisciplinary methods to address addiction issues.

The university released the following statement
following their announcement: “Our clinical faculty see firsthand the damaged
patients who present to our emergency rooms, clinics, private offices—and our
morgues. The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences hosts one of the
nation’s first fellowships in addiction medicine as well as a fellowship in
pain medicine, training future clinical leaders and researchers in the field of
addiction.”

CRIA
has also outlined the steps its researchers and clinicians have taken to
address the opioid epidemic:

To
address the epidemic in high-need counties throughout the state, CRIA works
with UB’s Department of Family Medicine and the State Office of Alcoholism and
Substance Abuse Services

UB
has spearheaded novel educational programs that have trained several thousand
health professional students in UB’s School of Nursing, School of Dental
Medicine, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Public
Health and Health Professions and the Jacobs School

The
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has developed an online
continuing educational program focused on pain management, palliative care and
addiction, which is mandated for New York State physicians who prescribe controlled
substances

Continuing
education programs developed and offered by CRIA about the opioid epidemic
provide important information for the community

UB
is a key partner with Erie County’s Opioid Epidemic Task Force

To learn more about the University of
Buffalo’s announcement that it has joined the National Academy of Medicine Action
Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic, visit here.